Page 191 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2018

JAMES WALRAVEN
Walraven jokes
that he has lost
a person’s worth
of weight and is
pictured wearing
his mechanic
shirt from when
he was at his
heaviest. Dr.
Avara performed his surgery two years ago, and Walraven has lost a total of 196 pounds since. Of the attendees, he was honored for having lost the most weight since his surgery.
STEPHEN BURRELL
Burrell has
lost 140 pounds
since his surgery
by Dr. Payne in
June of last year.
Since his surgery,
he has enjoyed
his increased
mobility. “The
fact that I am mobile now is amazing,” Burrell said. “Before my surgery I couldn’t even walk, but now I can experience life to the fullest.”
GLORIA AMACKER
“Since my surgery I’ve been able to do more of the things
I want to do,” said Amacker. “I’ve
also enjoyed being
able to get together
with fellow weight
loss associates at
the monthly support groups to share our experiences and tips for healthy lifestyles.” Amacker has lost 124 pounds since her surgery with Dr. Avara a year and a half ago.
SOME OF THE ATTENDEES at the South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss event.
DR. WILLIAM AVARA, III DR. JASON PAYNE
THE STAFF at South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center
South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center
1124 Oakleigh Road, Ocean Springs 228.872.7277 • www.smsurgicalweightloss.com
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September 2018 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 191